City cabbies sing when they're whingeing about traffic chaos

TAXI drivers have a reputation for grumbling about roadworks, traffic and other motorists.

But now a group of city cabbies have recorded a musical rant about the problems of getting around Edinburgh.

Cab driver Roy Reynolds (above, with Diane Ross and George Kilpatrick) persuaded four of his colleagues from Central Taxis to air their frustration at road closures and diversions in the Capital by recording a song – entitled Hacked-Off Taxi Drivers.

The Central Band hopes to have the track played on local radio stations and raise money for the annual outing for disabled children next month.

To create the song, Mr Reynolds, from Leith Links, wrote new lyrics to the tune of Jeff Beck's 1967 hit Hi Ho Silver Lining, and was joined on the recording by fellow cabbies John Duff, George Kilpatrick, Diane Ross and Rab Padget.

The song includes the lines: "They're everywhere, they're everywhere baby, stuck in a traffic jam. The roadworks are killing the city, all for the sake of the trams."

In the chorus they sing: "Coz we're hacked-off taxi drivers, going round the bend."

They hope to start selling the CD next week, although they are awaiting permission from the copyright owners of the original song.

Mr Reynolds said it had already proved a hit with passengers, cheering them up when they were stuck in traffic jams.

The 46-year-old, who has worked full-time as a taxi driver for four years, said: "I used to do a lot of singing, and I just came up with this song. I asked a few friends to help me record it. They were very keen and thought it would be a laugh.

"A lot of passengers do complain, so this is my way of cheering them up.

"I've tried putting it on in the cab, especially if we get stuck waiting because of roadworks. They all think it's brilliant.

"The song is meant to be tongue-in-cheek. We don't mind too much about all the tram work, as we've got used to it.

"There's always something going on and I actually think the council haven't done too bad with all the roadworks.

"I feel sorry for the customers. Every fare is going up by about £2, as there are so many diversions, and fuel costs are going up too.

"I thought if we could get a couple of hundred pounds for the kiddies' outing then that would be great."

The five recorded the single at Kean Audio, a studio in Leith. Central Taxis has offered to produce the disc for free.

They hope to sell the recording for £3 each, and to have it played on local radio stations. All proceeds will go to the charity.

Each June, dozens of Edinburgh cabbies decorate their taxis and take children with disabilities for a day out at the beach.

Luke McCullough, Radio Forth programme director, said: "We'll definitely consider giving it a spin and we're always very keen to support local bands.